Influence of minor Ag addition on the microstructure and properties of powder metallurgy Cu-10 wt% Fe alloy

The influence of minor Ag addition on microstructure and properties of powder metallurgy Cu-10Fe alloy was investigated systematically. Minor Ag addition can give rise to finer and more homogenous distribution of Fe phase in Cu-10Fe-0.5Ag alloy. The resultant microstructure of Cu-10Fe-0.5Ag alloy can be ascribed to the increased vacancy density in Cu lattice and reduced interface energy of Cu/ Fe by Ag addition, which therefore increased the nucleation rate for Fe phase. Such microstructure of Cu-Fe-Ag alloy is also beneficial to increase both electrical conductivity and mechanical performance. The calculated activation energy from electrical conductivity is decreased from 56.23 kJ/mol of Cu-10Fe alloy to 28.30 kJ/mol of Cu-10Fe-0.5Ag alloy, suggesting the activated precipitation of Fe phase by Ag addition.